I did consider EK, but I decided against it for a few reasons.
1) I'm generally visualizing the character as a competent warrior, but not a great one. Getting fighting styles and Extra Attack goes against that. Admittedly, a character granted the fighting abilities of his dead companions lost in the Mourning is also a really good hook. I might keep that in my back pocket depending on what the rest of the party looks like. Thanks!
2) I'm pretty sure the game is starting at 1st or 2nd, so the spells wouldn't be available at the start of the game, and they're pretty essential to the overall concept.
3) Fundamentally, I'm a caster player; I've played some classes over the years that don't have a lot of resources to manage, and I generally get bored with them more easily. Third casters don't really have enough "oomph" for me until at least 7th level, when they get 2nd level spells. I freely admit this is part and parcel of my obsession with the combat mini-game, though.